Government Orders Immediate Shutdown of Schools with Dangerous RAAC Concrete
The government has moved swiftly to shut down around 104 schools built with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) – a ticking time bomb prone to collapse. This fresh wave of closures adds to the 50 schools already affected this year amid growing safety fears.
RAAC: The Concrete Crisis Putting Kids at Risk
RAAC, used widely from the 1950s to the mid-90s, is now under the spotlight for its fragility. A recent National Audit Office report warns that a collapse is “very likely and critical,” posing a serious risk of injury or even death.
The Department for Education (DfE) insists “the vast majority of schools and colleges will be unaffected,” but the danger zones must remain off-limits until fixes are in place. No timeline for full replacement has been revealed, leaving schools scrambling for solutions.
Political Backlash and Calls for Action
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan cited “new evidence” as the trigger for the clampdown, vowing to protect students while minimising disruption with funding and support for urgent repairs.
But critics are unimpressed. The Labour party decried the crisis as a “staggering display of Tory incompetence.” Julie McCulloch, from the Association of School and College Leaders, slammed the government for ignoring warnings and underfunding school infrastructure.
“This decision is necessary but the late response will hit students, families, and staff hard,” said McCulloch.
What’s Next for Schools?
- Schools with confirmed RAAC will remain closed or restricted until safety measures are in place.
- School leaders are pushing for an urgent government plan to fix the crisis.
- Parents and students face ongoing disruption as the government grapples with a mounting infrastructure disaster.
The government faces mounting pressure to act fast before more classrooms become unsafe. For now, RAAC remains a concrete nightmare for England’s education system.
